CHICAGO — Los Angeles Angels right-hander Noah Syndergaard was scratched from his scheduled start against the Chicago White Sox on Friday night because of an undisclosed illness.
Right-hander Jimmy Herget got the start in place of Syndergaard against Lucas Giolito in the opener of a four-game series. He tossed three innings, allowing a run and one hit in the Angels’ 5-1 win.
Manager Joe Maddon said Syndergaard “wasn’t feeling well,” but he wouldn’t elaborate on the symptoms the 6-foot-6 pitcher was experiencing.
Should the Angels and White Sox be forced to play a doubleheader Sunday — heavy rain is forecast for Saturday in Chicago — Maddon hinted Syndergaard might be available to start one of the games.
Syndergaard is 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA in his first two starts with the Angels in a comeback attempt. The former All-Star signed a one-year, $21 million contract with Los Angeles in November after being limited to only two innings the past two years following Tommy John surgery in March 2020.
The Angels activated infielder David Fletcher from the 10-day injured list and placed him in the lineup at shortstop. Fletcher has been out since April 11 with a hip injury. Los Angeles optioned infielder Jack Mayfield to its taxi squad in a corresponding roster move.